Short answer: the DUNU Vulkan 2. Both are rated 3.7/5 for sound quality (#643 and #647 of 1291 in-ear headphones), and the DUNU Vulkan 2 costs $349 against $399.99 for the AFUL Performer 8S, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
Why pick the AFUL Performer 8S: The median of 12 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.16 dB spread. Watch for: Presence sits about 5.9 dB low with a 6.6 dB dip near 4.0 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
What the DUNU Vulkan 2 does well: The median of 15 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.16 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 1.1 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The tradeoff: Presence sits about 5.3 dB low with a 6.9 dB dip near 4.0 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
Buy the DUNU Vulkan 2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $50.99 less than the AFUL Performer 8S.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
The median of 12 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.16 dB spread.
Amazon $399.99 eBay
The median of 15 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.16 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 1.1 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Amazon $349.00 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| AFUL Performer 8S | DUNU Vulkan 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.99 | $349.00 |
| Ranked | #647 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #643 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 6 x balanced armature + 1 x planar + 1 x passive radiator | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x 8mm dynamic + 6 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 26 ohms | 35 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (median of 12 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 70 (median of 15 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.16 dB standard deviation | 2.16 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.65 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.14 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Sensitivity | - | 113 dB/mW |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (8 g) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the AFUL Performer 8S from aden, atechreviews, audioamigo, bassaudio, hobbytalk, jaytiss, kazi, koi, practiphile, precog, soundcheck39, soundignity and superreview; the DUNU Vulkan 2 from atechreviews, audioamigo, dl, gadgetgenerations, hbb, hobbytalk, hu-fi, jaytiss, joycesreview, kr0mka, pw, soundignity, superreview, timmyv and treblewellxtended, all via squig.link.
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